An ally of Rory McIlroy has been handed a new role in golf.
Rory McIlroy’s close ally Jimmy Dunne has become a member of the board at Troon Golf. The Wall Street dealmaker played a key role in brokering the deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Dunne joined the PGA Tour’s policy board at the start of January 2023 and helped initiate discussions between the North American circuit and LIV Golf’s Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund backers.
But he left his role in May after calling his input “utterly superfluous” and reportedly growing frustrated at the lack of progress at the time.
According to GolfMagic, Dunne sent a WhatsApp message to LIV chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and joined several secret meetings to get the deal off the ground.
But several high-profile players, including Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth, were said to be furious with Dunne for going behind players’ backs and proceeded to leave him out in the cold.
During his time on the policy board, Dunne reportedly attempted to pave the way for McIlroy to rejoin after the Northern Irishman quit in November 2023. But the four-time Major winner’s return was blocked.
And in a letter outlining his resignation, Dunne maintained that “no meaningful progress has been made towards a transaction with PIF” and that “my vote and my role is utterly superfluous” due to the fact player directors outnumbered the board’s independent directors.
After being added to the board at Troon Golf, which oversees nearly 1,000 golf clubs across the globe, Dunne said: “I’m excited to join the board of Troon and work closely with Tim [Shantz] and the rest of his terrific team.
“I have always enjoyed playing the Troon golf courses and the more I’ve learned about the entire company, the more impressed I have become by all its offerings. I’m looking forward to helping Troon any way I possibly can.”
And Troon’s president and chief executive Shantz added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jimmy Dunne to Troon’s board.
“His leadership, experience, business acumen and passion for golf will help the company continue to touch new areas in and around golf and golf-related hospitality.
“Jimmy’s commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with Troon’s vision, and we’re confident he’ll have a strong impact on the company.”
Dunne is said to have extensive connections in golf and is a member of the exclusive Seminole Golf Club and Augusta National. He reportedly helped McIlroy’s father Gerry become a member at Seminole.
